Despite the exceptional situation brought about in Argentina by the spectacular rise of food prices in the world market, the country finds itself more urgently submerged in the grave confrontation between the central government and the agricultural sector, without a visible exit in the near future. Argentina has buried itself in an unnecessary crisis, the author says, and meanwhile is losing a unique opportunity.

Three months later, the agricultural crisis continues without traces of a solution

Posted by , 3rd July 2008

Argentina appears to be losing a historic opportunity with regards to the global demand for food in a conflict between the government and the agricultural sector that has already lasted three months. But what is truly needed is a political model that will function for the next decade, says the author.

Latin America-EU: Free trade agreements–from country to country or group to group?

Posted by , 3rd July 2008

The commotion has shaken relations between the Andean countries: accusations between Peru and Bolivia, disputes between Ecuador and Colombia, and the eventual agreement between Lima and the EU behind the backs of the Andean Community of Nations. Chavez, meanwhile, has remained silent. The reason is simple: the growing tension between those seeking to establish Free Trade Treaties with the world and improve its economy and those who reject this ideal, says the author.

Negotiation is the only option in dealing with Santa Cruz de la Sierra’s claims to autonomy

Posted by , 26th June 2008

Bolivia never ceases to amaze. More than once in its history, when it seemed that Bolivia was on the edge of disaster, it has done an unexpected about face away from violent conflict. Is this what is occurring today?

The political parties should leave their biases behind and advance comprehensive energy reform

Posted by , 24th June 2008

Predictions paint a dismal scene: in 20 years, Mexico may need to import all of its oil when only recently it appeared to be in the big leagues of hydrocarbon production. The oil company PEMEX not only needs a multimillion dollar injection to revive itself, but also the technology to explore and drill at depths in which only select multinational corporations are able to work at full capacity.

The core of the crisis between the Cristina Fernández’s government and agricultural producers is not fiscal but rather related to economic sustainability as well as medium- and long-term cultural confrontations that have a long history, the author claims.

After more than three months of agitated mobilization of the Argentine agricultural sector, which has risen against the agrarian and economic policies of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s government, the possibility should not be discarded that the people of the countryside could shape the territorial base of upcoming projects and political realignments, the author says. The agricultural sector has a voice and a vote.

Many thought that with the majority election of progressive governments in Latin America (which claimed to be anti-war) the region would see a period of relaxation in tensions. But the reality of the situation indicates that Latin America is submerged in uncountable conflicts that directly parallel Defense spending.

The Mexican congress should debate how to extract the best profit from the diminishing supplies of petroleum and its elevated price before the business ends because it is surrounded by the laws of protection and environmental sustainability. However, while Mexico makes a gamble so that PEMEX and its economy earn competitiveness and sustainability in the short term, the politicians shut themselves in their dogmatisms and watch a different soap opera, states the author.